Viral disease threatens University of Leeds campus bunnies
Bunnies across campus have been hit with the fatal disease myxomatosis.
Ask any University of Leeds student about a feature of the university campus, and I can assure you the campus rabbits would get a mention. They are a part of the Leeds campus wildlife, alongside Heron McHeron face and the Parkinson peregrine falcon.
Having been a part of the Leeds campus since the early 1990s, and having a ‘bunny baby boom’ during the quietness of lockdown, the rabbits have been a constant presence on campus, particularly in the spring and summer months.
However, the rabbits have recently been hit by a highly fatal disease called myxomatosis, a virus which arrived on campus just a couple of weeks ago.
Rabbit Welfare describes myxomatosis, as a severe viral disease that can be contracted by rabbits. It is contagious among rabbits. Symptoms can include infected eyes which may appear red or swollen, or a swollen face in general. @campusrabbits on Instagram, shared that “There’s not much that can be done for them when they’ve caught it.” and given the disease’s high mortality rate, there has subsequently been a “very big decrease” in the rabbit population.
@campusrabbits, who started the account in 2021, was asked by Estate Services to post on Instagram what students ought to do if they see an infected rabbit:
- Don’t approach it or touch it
- Note its location
- Report the infected rabbit to the Estates/Facilities Management Service Desk on 01133435555 or email: fmservicedesk@leeds.ac.uk
In reporting an infected rabbit, the Estates Services can prevent other rabbits from catching the disease, which will unfortunately mean having to cull the infected rabbits. This is the only way in which the uninfected rabbits can remain healthy, as there is no known cure for myxomatosis.